Adrian Gonzalez Trade Will Reportedly Send Three Top Red Sox Prospects To Padres

While the Red Sox and Padres have yet to officially announce a trade that would send slugger Adrian Gonzalez to Boston, multiple reports are emerging that detail the specifics of the trade. Dan Hayes of NCTimes.com is reporting that the Padres are set to receive several prospects in return.

A baseball source said the deal — which returns three of Boston’s top six prospects: pitcher Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo and outfielder Reymond Fuentes to the Padres — is pending a physical and could perhaps hinge on whether or not Boston can work out a contract extension with Gonzalez, who is set to become a free agent after the 2011 season.

Kelly was drafted in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft, and actually turned down a full scholarship to play quarterback at Tennessee. In 2010, Kelly pitched 95 innings in double-A ball, posting a 5.31 ERA with 81 strikeouts.

Rizzo, a first baseman, was taken in the sixth round of the 2007 draft. He’s a power hitter; in double-A this season, he mashed 20 home runs in 467 plate appearances. Gonzalez, one of the best hitters in baseball, is certainly leaving some big shoes to fill at first base; the Padres are likely hoping that within a couple of years, Rizzo will be able to bring some sorely-needed power to the lineup.

Fuentes is another first-rounder who was selected in the 2009 draft. He’s a speedy center fielder who stole 42 bases while being caught only five times in A-ball this season. For the time being, his bat leaves a little to be desired (.705 OPS), but the 19-year-old still has plenty of time to improve.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Padres are also set to receive a player to be named later.

Stay tuned to this StoryStream for updates. And for more on these teams, check out our Red Sox blog, Over the Monster, and our Padres blog, Gaslamp Ball.